#Flower language

[old-world-bird]

✨The BIG post✨

About flowers and symbols and details and processes to celebrate a New Year, may it be merciful upon us all. Starring this piece with Strahd, that piece with Strahd, and another piece with Strahd. Can't say I was too productive this year, but when I was - oh boi I tried my best.

We'll go in chronological order. Please don't pay attention to the fact that it's Spring already, I honestly started composing this thing in December.

Also, although all three campaigns are heavily homebrewed and this post is generally spoiler-free, I'll leave the spoiler alert here just in case.

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THE FAMILY PORTRAIT

The family portrait of Strahd and his daughter from one of Tatyana's reincarnations for @blazingemstone.

First of all,

To my shame, I still have not researched, why some mysterious unidentified vines represent intoxication, while ivy, the vine I've used here, means fidelity (it won't easily let go of something it's attached itself to), eternal life (because the plant is evergreen), and marriage. Anyway, I think it's one hilariously ironic combo of meanings, so I let them co-exist in my head and in this piece.

Love and Bravery

Roses (love) and oak leaves (bravery) make up the combo I use as Zarovich's patented trademark for some years now??? I think??? Pretentious, fancy, symbolic, and neat, looks especially nice near the Zarovich crest. In this particular piece, the roses are yellow because it's the golden embroidery, but gods bless this coincidence: yellow roses symbolize jealousy and decreasing love. Strahd is in a complicated relationship with his daughter, himself, and the world around him, and all these symbols work nicely together here.

Young Anastasia wears roses on her gown to

But rosebuds here are closed. Because, you know, immaturity. The love that has yet to unfold.

Also, hand positions. In this iteration of Barovia, Strahd is deeply possessive and protective of Anastasia because of her resemblance to Tatyana. Anastasia, in turn, interprets this as genuine care for her. She is grateful and also admires him. I tried to reflect that relationship in the way Strahd firmly grasps Anastasia's shoulders while she touches his hand gently in a responsive gesture of soft gratitude.

The portrait of an eternal love

The white lily in Tatyana's hands represents innocence; her face is covered with ivy vines and a blue veil, and we kinda can claim that all this refers to the mists that stole her life, personality, youthful innocence, etc... But actually, honestly, I just wanted this corner to look eery. On the other side, gotta trust own brain when it offers something like this. You never know what deepest meanings one can find in these random ideas later.

Some other details

I went a bit experimental with the fur lineart, using curly lines for Anastassia and pointy lines for Strahd. This was done to emphasize character differences.

Also, the spiderweb texture on Strahd's shirt references another campaign's portrait of him with his daughter. Man, my man is a parent of many children.

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THE ROYAL ONE

Lady Strahd's fancy royal portrait with the ominous shadow, some flower symbolism, and pretentious candelabra for @flyingkitesatnight

First of all,

I feel obligated to share the knowledge that the sketch where the shadow eats Strahd's head existed at some point.

Mirror strikes again

You might remember the older piece with Strahd and Alek, where there also was the mirror without Strahd's reflection.

This time, to emphasize the inhuman nature of the vampire, we added swirling fog where there is no reflection. You know, it's kinda like the mirror is showing the true nature of a vampire, which is mist, and I probably should stop seeking deep meanings in my own artworks, but it's fun, so maybe next time...

Yay, 🌸flowers🌸

A deep red carnation on the chest translates as "Alas! for my poor heart!" Fun fact: striped carnations represent refusal, and yellow carnations are said to mean disdain. Nothing good about carnations out there.

The commissioner requested something to represent Lady Strahd's softer/feminine side in opposition to the monstrosity and war-forged brutality, so in addition to a softly falling hairstyle, we chose Spanish jasmine (in the hand), which represents sensuality.

The almond tree on the wall tapestry represents hope. It's blooming in the light and is withered where the monstrous shadow is cast.

Other small details

Quite obvious references, but I'll mention them because why not.

Clothes reference the module portrait of Strahd. Almond tree tapestry is inspired by van Gogh's paintings. And yes, there is a War against Azalin book, written by this lady's own hands.

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AND THE MOVIE POSTER

For @curseofthebloodcountess's and @troubledtimeinravenloft's and their marvelous party. Oh boi, where do I even start here...

Probably with the link to the GM's post, where they dive into the details about who all these fellas are.

And once again, 🌸FLOWERS🌸

Strahd is surrounded by poisonous hemlock ("You'll be my death") and there are weeping willow branches (mourning) behind her, and that perfectly sums up her relationship with the party aka her past, present, and probably the future. Hemlock is also embroidered on her dress.

Theodora, the Morninglord's nun in the upper right corner is not only a suspiciously independent construct of the Abbot's creation but also a reincarnation of Strahd's dear friend from the times everyone was alive. Spiked Speedwell is there as a symbol of semblance, and zinnia represents thoughts of absent friends.

Alistor, the knight of Argynvostholt, bearing dragons and scales on his armor, is actually Strahd's long-lost son. Cinquefoil flowers represent maternal affection, and harebells represent grief.

There is also a frame of bramble, most of which creeps around Kolyana siblings and the last member of party, Tam. But some branches twist with Alistor's frame as well. Bramble represents envy.

Creeping willow all around the bottom corner symbolizes forsaken love. Tam, the ranger, eventually turned out to be a reincarnation of Sergei. He is surrounded by the aforementioned bramble of envy and creeping willow, and we also added a rosebay - danger - because of how paranoid his mere existence makes Strahd. You know, those flashbacks from days long gone.

Fun fact #1 - in Estonian, rosebay is põdrakanep, which literally translates to "elk's hemp". Fun fact #2 - in the early sketches, I suggested adding meadowsweet behind Ismark. It means uselessness, and it is very SAD for meadowsweet because it is pretty and smells heavenly good. Fun fact #3 - pine branches behind Tam are there because he had spent most of his life in Svalich woods, so in this particular case, pine was meant to represent, well, pine. But apparently, book says it also means "pity", and this is another neat coincidence. Does Sergey pity Strahd? Who knows. Does Tam pity himself because he is tired and simply wants everyone to just leave him be? There is such a chance indeed.

Bats, dragons, and other cute animals

The traditional fancy bat-winged candelabra is missing here. That could be a shame, so I decided to add bat wings to the frame twice and all around Strahd's gown, including the necklace. Still not as good as a pretentious candelabra could be, tho....

Then there is a wolf devouring the sun. Twice. The frame around the sun references the teeth pattern.

And then there is a small doggy paw mark on Ismark's leather armor because he is the golden retriever of the party and the best boy of the whole Barovia.

Dragons and scales all on and around Alistor, because Argynvostholt. Also, he's standing in flames not only because he and dragons are hot, but also because this fella seems to be an arsonist. "He burned down the coffin shop, he ran through fire to face Strahd at the festival" (c) their DM.

Also, the embroidery on Theodora's clothes is inspired by traditional angels and her familiar Benedict Algernon Ernest von Birdington the Fifteenth, a perfectly normal Morning Dove.

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That will be all for this time. Hope you enjoyed reading this ✨

The sourcebooks used are Language of Flowers by Kate Greenaway and Floriography by Jessica Roux.

Commission info

[mimimar]

video version of my gelphie comic so you can read it while listening to the song♡

[sapin7]

daffodils

[hot-patootiee]

Give me welder Eddie harassing Steve with metal flowers. 🌻🌼

Just this ash and soot covered man giving clean and proper Steve Harrington beautifully made flowers.

Not roses but carnations, buttercups, and sunflowers.

Steve does not know that each day he is being handed a flower that says overall “fuck you” because he loves buttercups and sunflowers. The carnation was simply too beautiful to mean anything bad.

Steve falls in love and Eddie is just bewildered.

Like how could this man not understand his flower message?

The flowers slowly change from Petunias to Honeysuckle as Eddie also falls in love. <3

Part 1 available here

[finalgrllfriend]

The Chained

This, the Forget-Me-Not piece and future projects will all be available as prints and stickers eventually!!

[dunmeshistash]

Shuro's Retainers and the flowers from their nicknames

I really wanted to see what these flowers look like so I compiled some information about them. I tried to find the best info I could but it might not be 100% accurate (Things like flower language can vary and I couldn't find much in English)

Maizuru

Real Name: Iyo Flower: Maizurusou (マイヅルソウ) English name: Snakeberry, False Lily Of The Valley Scientific name: Maianthemum dilatatum Flower Language (Hanakotoba): The face of a innocent girl

Hien

Real Name: Naka Flower: Hiensou (ヒエンソウ) English name: Doubtful Knight's Spur Scientific name: Consolida ajacis Flower Language (Hanakotoba): Lightness, cheerfulness, free-spirited living

Benichidori

Real Name: Matsu Flower: Benichidori (紅千鳥) English name: Japanese plum Scientific name: Prunus mume, Armeniaca mume Flower Language (Hanakotoba): Nobility, Loyalty, Elegance

Inutade

Real Name: Hijouhi Flower: Inutade (イヌタデ) English name: Bristled Knotweed Scientific name: Persicaria longiseta Flower Language (Hanakotoba): Reliant, Depedant, "I want to be helpful"

Asebi

Real Name: Unknown, Izutsumi Flower: Asebi (アセビ) English name: Japanese Andromeda, Japanese Pieris Scientific name: Pieris japonica Flower Language (Hanakotoba): Dedication, Always with you, "I want to go traveling with you"

[sweggyq]

Flower Language...

Basil unknowingly aided in Aubrey's schemes HADGH

Based on this classic!!

Hope you all enjoyed this silly comic, hehe <3

(My VA group and I will be dubbing it soon!! Keep an eye out ^^)

[aliensfoundthisblog]

MUCHA, ALFONS (19OO) Langage des Fleurs [Lenguaje de las flores][Litografía en color]

[artistmarchalius]

Happy Belated Pride Month! Like… super belated.

Blue Clematis - Loyalty

Blue/Purple Pansy - Platonic Love, Admiration and Affectionate Thoughts

Daffodil - New Beginnings

Eastern Bluestar - Steadfastness and Affection

Heliotrope - Devoted Affection

Orange Rose - Fascination and Deep Admiration

Orange Zinnia - Friendship and Affection

Periwinkle - Immortality

Purple Rose - “I look up to you and value your opinion”

White Rose - A Heart Unacquainted With Love

Yellow Rose - Friendship

————

Flowers have multiple meanings, but these meanings felt very true to my ace experience. As a bonus, periwinkles also mean “Flower of Death” which felt appropriate to mention because, you know, it’s Alastor.

[friszil]

episode 2: making adjustments.

[moog-enthusiast]

basil’s love- my piece for the flower language zine 💚

[sneakywingeddude]

I was just looking up the meaning of Dahlias and noticed this.

[catflowerqueen]

Flower language probably was very important to the Island, actually, considering that in their culture it was perfectly acceptable to give flowers to enemies just as much as friends. So they probably did regularly go to the florist to ask for a bouquet that sent specifically tailored insults to the recipient via which flowers were included.

...It was probably also a lot easier to do stealth insults/commit an accidental faux pas due to the limitations with the shades they have to work with, considering some of the flower language comes down to the color. A red rose having a slightly different meaning to a yellow rose, for example.

Perhaps they could do something with leaves, thorns, or roots, in those cases? Assuming that's not already part of flower language.

...Imagine Siffrin only giving the King the flower because they remember just enough of the flower language to recognize that the species the bright flower is was only used to say, basically, "I hate you and hope you die a painful death." So of course he would never give one to a family member!

Compulsory sad miscommunications down the line if Siffrin and Isabeau ever get together where Isabeau accidentally gives Siffrin a bouquet that translates to "I want to break up," or Isabeau is sad that Siffrin never gets him flowers (because Siffrin is either taking their time to search for the perfect ones that please his poetic heart or because the only ones available in their location have negative connotations).

Also compulsory comedy ones where Isabeau accidentally proposes via bouquet or sends one filled with accidental innuendo that makes Siffrin blush and stammer about being flattered but definitely NOT interested in THAT sort of thing.

[phantomtomes]

🍂 I am utterly in love with this book and learning about Victorian flower language. 🍂

[hot-patootiee]

Flowers of Contempt

Pre-series - Don’t worry, Robin is still there.

Welder Eddie X ‘King’ Steve

To show his hatred for one King Steve, Eddie begins to weld beautiful flowers with insults imbued into them to gift Steve. Steve does not know flower language.

Misunderstandings, Falling in love, etc.

Will be on AO3 soon.

<Part1>Part 2

Steve was having a pretty shit day. Sure he had a party later and it would be great, but he had failed another test and was unsure if he would pass his classes. Maybe if he went to Nancy she’d help him study, but he didn’t feel the best about running to the cute girl he wanted to date about how stupid he was. Tommy assured him that a few drinks would cheer him up and he had reluctantly agreed to go to Emma’s party.

The shrill bell invaded his ears and made him wince, it reverberated in his ears and he could almost feel the first inklings of a headache. He was frustrated and annoyed and just generally wanted to punch something. All these little things accumulated under his skin and itched fiercely.

He walked to the bathroom just trying to do something with his legs to sort through the mess of adrenaline filled emotions invading his head. He opened the door and went to the sink, turning on the faucet and using his hands to splash his face. His hands lingered, fingertips pressing at the hard line of his brow. The cold water had done little more than soothe the tense muscles in his face.

He patted his face with a paper towel and tossed it in the trash. Steve reentered the busy hall with a straight back and hard steps that spoke to years of not only belonging but dominating every space he entered. People generally avoided knocking into him because wherever Steve lingered his lapdog Tommy always seemed to be present.

When a purposeful, unfamiliar hand landed on his shoulder Steve’s lips immediately prepared to curl in distaste. He followed the hand and found soot smeared skin with grease lines making veins down his arm. He wore a dirty wife beater that clung to his sweat slicked skin. A fluffy and wild halo of curls shrouded his face and hung just above his shoulders. His face was similarly soot streaked which contrasted sharply with the pale skin but maintained a cohesive aesthetic with the hard lines of his face. His wide, coal pit eyes pierced into Steve.

His demeanor made Steve pause and the strange boy gave him a wolf-ish grin that flashed blinding white. Before Steve could get a word out from his parted lips, the boy was on one knee, head tilted defiantly at Steve as he knelt at his feet. He presented a flower, with an oil slick iridescence a twisted hunk of metal gave the form of a sunflower.

The flower was a dark opalescent with swirls of color that reflected in the light. There was a faint gradient of yellow on the edges that subtly blended with the shining grey of the metal. The petals were finely crafted and looked soft. They lacked the hard edges that welded objects always seemed to have. If not for the fact it didn’t yield to the boy’s movement Steve would have assumed it was spray painted.

“My liege, please accept my humble offering.” The boy said it with a tightness in his body and a goading glint in his eyes.

Steve took it, admiring the delicate handiwork. All Steve could do was gawk at it. All the previous tension and frustration Steve held melted from his body. But, The boy was already up on his feet though, pushing past Steve.

“Thank you.” Steve barely managed to get out, but the boy gave no indication of hearing him.

There were many shocked onlookers, but Steve ignored them. He made his way to his next class in a daze, ignoring the way his fingers became similarly tainted with soot left over from the strange boy’s hand. He traced over the grooves in the flower and the subtle feathering of yellow along the ends of the petals. Tommy soon fell into step beside him, his hushed criticisms falling on deaf ears.

“How could Eddie ‘the freak’ Munson have the goddamn audacity to pull that shit? I should beat the shit out of him.” Tommy smiled with a tense jaw, bumping shoulders with Steve.

“Don’t” Steve interrupted quietly.

“What?” Tommy’s sneer dropped as he barked out in surprise.

“I said don’t.” Steve repeated in a stronger tone.

“Fine, your fucking funeral when that fag comes back around.” A jealous sneer emerged on Tommy’s face, but none of its ire was actually directed at Steve.

Steve got to his next class, quickly checking in for attendance before heading to the office with a pep in his step.

“Hello, I was wondering if the school was still running that tutoring program?” Steve asked, nervously tapping the ornate flower he had been unable to put down.

“Yes, we are. Sessions are after school and we can match you to a tutor based on the classes you’re having trouble in.”

“Uh, I’m having trouble in History.” Steve supplied quietly.

“You’ll be with Robin Buckley then.” The receptionist supplied.

“Oh okay, that’s it?” Steve questioned.

“You’ll meet in the library after the last bell.” The woman replied in a flat tone.

With the ghost of another ok on his lips, he left. He couldn’t help but trace the name of that strange boy in his mind.

“Eddie Munson”

He was like a curly haired spector. Steve couldn’t help but have his attention drawn to the little whispers of information about Eddie he was given. The flower was the fruition of what had to be hours of hot and heavy labor. Each petal was painstakingly crafted, which left Steve a little dizzy at the thought.

He twirled and twisted his fingers about the flower, feeling every subtle contour. He privately wondered if he would ever be able to put the thing down.

Steve had never received a better gift and he wasn’t sure if he ever would unless another artist expressed their love for him in a large mural.

No.

Not even that would be enough.

Because he could see the pain of burnt fingers and sweat imbued into this gift. It was a labor of intense emotion and determination to see its fruition.

He knew it was wrong, but Eddie had endeared himself to Steve in a way nobody ever had before.

Steve was giddy for the remainder of his classes, he was unsure if he could even go to the party tonight because he couldn’t imagine spending his evening any other way than admiring this flower.

When he arrived at the library after school, he spoke to the librarian who directed him to an empty table. It was maybe 5 minutes later that there was a girl with a pale, freckled face and wavy bob. Her hair was either half highlighted or the result of too much time spent at a pool. She glared at him as she moved towards him. She dropped herself into the seat across from him.

Steve could tell that she was waiting for an opportunity to sneer.

“Hi, I’m Steve.”

The air between them seemed to tense and strain, her lack of a response creating a malicious silence.

“I’m curious Steve, What are you going to do to Eddie?” She asked, the sneer finally blooming on her face and rage embedded itself between his brows.

“What?” Steve jolted back, shocked at the accusation.

“I mean he’s another one of us freaks, what are you going to do to him for daring to speak to royalty such as yourself?” She leaned forward, her voice lowering dangerously.

“Why would I do anything?” Steve shrunk into his seat when faced with her ire.

“Because all your fucking cronies are going to jump him once he leaves Hellfire tonight.” Her hands planted on the table, raising herself and staring furiously into his eyes.

“What?” Steve asked, but she revealed no answer.

She instead continued to glare at him, righteous fury pouring off her in waves. Steve sputtered.

“I- I know you’re angry, but I swear I had nothing to do with this. I can explain but you have to promise not to tell anyone.” Steve begged as he pulled the flower from his bag, clenching the stem as he prepared to impart his shameful feelings to a stranger.

“Fine, it’s not like anyone would believe me anyway.” She sneered.

“It’s the best gift I’ve ever received, it’s beautiful, just look at it.” Steve offered the flower to her for her inspection with shaking fingers.

She seemed similarly bewitched by the beauty and detail of the flowers. Her eyes and posture softened and she collapsed back into her seat.

“Wow, I heard about it, but I never saw it.” She breathed out.

Suddenly skittish she said “Sorry about that, I’m Robin.” She winced a bit at her misplaced anger.

“Hellfire ends at 4 if you want to do something about it.” Robin said quietly. “If it’s the best gift you’ve ever gotten, then maybe it’s worth doing something about.”

Steve nodded, fingers beginning to move restlessly.

“If they’re going after him, then they’d probably wait by his car.” Steve recounted, shameful at his admission of knowing what his cronies got up to.

“Okay, so we just need to pick them up.” Robin suggested with a smile. “I’ll get him to come with me. Then I’ll bring him out to your car. Wait at the entrance by the gym, it’s on the opposite side of the building from where Hellfire is held.”

“You’re not a tutor for no reason, you’re really smart.” Steve stated, in mild awe of how easily the plan came to her.

“Well, I’ve never had the power and confidence of King Steve behind me.” Steve wasn’t sure what it was, but when she said that nickname there was still a sort of resentment in her eyes, despite the fact she was smiling.

“Now!” Robin clapped, drawing the attention of the librarian who shushed her. “We can get some studying, we’ll need to be done around 3:45, so we have about an hour and a half.”

“Great, um I suck at the unification of Germany and Italy. I can never remember the wars.”

“Well they both used France. Bismarck used France as a way to threaten the German States to run into his arms for Prussian Protection.”

…

Robin waved goodbye to Steve as he left to get his car. Steve jumped in his car and drove around, uneased by a group of his friends hidden behind a van. It was one of the last cars left in the lot.

Steve waited by the gym entrance. Tapping the steering wheel as a shouting Eddie Munson left the building.

“Of course, He’d pull some shit like this, nothing without his goddamn mongrels!” Eddie sneered, manic laughter emerging from his throat. Robin seemed uncomfortable next to him, a sharp contrast with her earlier furious defense of him.

Robin wordlessly tapped Eddie’s shoulder and gestured at Steve’s beemer.

Eddie looked up, his brows furrowing and the beginnings of furious anger tickling at his tensed jaw. Before Eddie could speak, Robin interrupted.

“The King liked your gift.” Robin said sharply. “Decided he didn’t want to see you beat to shit.”

“Then why doesn’t he call off his fucking dogs?!” Eddie asks in an accusatory, rage filled tone.

“I didn’t know what they were doing. Tommy said something earlier, but I told him no.” Steve said with a mouselike tilt to his voice.

Robin opened the passenger’s side door and ushered Eddie inside.

“Now, fair lady it is time to get in your carriage.” Robin says mockingly, pushing Eddie towards the seat.

Eddie gets in, he’s still tense. Steve’s eyes trace the lines of his arms which unexpectedly bulge with more muscle then Eddie seems to have at first glance.

Robin crumples into the backseat, looking fatigued.

“Address?”

“Forest Hills, the trailer park.” Eddie spat with a sneer on his face.

They drove in silence, Eddie departing as quickly as possible once they stopped at the trailer park. Robin seemed tired from dealing with Eddie, social fatigue rolling off of her in waves. Steve dropped Robin off too, she smiled at him wearily before departing to her house.

Sunflower: False Riches, Haughtiness

Part 2

AN: I’m using Victorian Flower language.

[biblicallyaccuratecrow]

isat thoughts: the bright flower (flower symbolism makes me mentally ill)

[woe, spoilers be upon ye!]

So, the bright flower visually resembles a pansy. Which feels innocuous until you realize. Pansies are symbols of remembrance. Because it sounds a lot like the French pansées, meaning thoughts. And in Old English, it was referred to as ‘heartease’ because it was thought that carrying one around would remind the person that they were loved, truly and wholeheartedly, by the one who gave it to them.

Now. I want you to let that sit for a sec.

Siffrin gives every party member a flower. It’s a gift, a way of showing that he cares about them. That he loves them. Isabeau says that he’ll treasure it forever.

Bonnie asks why, and then looks at it sadly.

Mirabelle says that she’ll press it in a book to keep it forever.

Odile says that it’s proof.

Siffrin doesn't know what it's proof of, but... of course, it's proof that he loves them. And more than that- that he won't forget them. Even if they forget him. Even if this all meant more to him than it did to them.

Then there's the people outside the party.

Euphrasie can't accept it. She is stuck, like Siffrin. She won't remember. Can't remember.

The King takes it. Instead of asking if Siffrin remembers like he usually does at the start of the battle, he asks if they will remember him. No matter what you say, the battle still happens. But if you say no, the King laughs, and says that he'll remember Siffrin after they're defeated.

The King knows, then, what it symbolizes. Even if Siffrin doesn't.

When you try to give the flower to Loop, they refuse it. They refuse it, again and again, turning it towards other members of the party, to those more deserving of it.

And when they finally take it...they act like nothing happened. But they took it. Quite literally accepted a reminder of love the only person who can care about them.

Do with that information what you will, but...

If you take the flower in Act 5, you can pluck it. If you keep it until after the King, siffrin will remark that it's still there.

If you look at it during act 6, however, you get this.

(You still have the flower.)

(...)

(You guess it's yours, now!)

It's yours now. You don't give it to any of the party members.

It's a reminder of love. Not for the party- they know, now, far better than they ever could have before. No, it's for Siffrin themself.

A way to remember that you are loved.

anyways insert disc 5 you are mad and i am in pain, your days are numbered /j